Chances are you have a student that lacks all motivation for schooling. Math is a complex subject, English is boring, and Biology is information overload. The good thing is, your teenager can get more comfortable with subjects by practicing at home, reviewing old concepts, and trying new ones. They can also learn to get better grades on exams by focusing on their weaknesses and using test-taking strategies.
Given the additional stress of a global pandemic, student and teacher interaction has substantially declined, and what does that equal? A student who becomes increasingly frustrated, anxious and worried about whether or not they will learn what is required in the Australian Curriculum like how to do a BODMAS equation in Math or identify, explain and discuss how narrative viewpoint, structure, characterisation, and devices shape different interpretations and responses to a text, in English.
If you’re a parent watching your high school student struggle, you will feel even more helpless. So, how do you help them without knowing much about the subject yourself? Here are a few helpful hints.
How to improve their study routine
The first goal should be to set realistic expectations. While students may need revision twice a day, they are less likely to manage this if they feel pressured, overwhelmed, or exhausted after hours of school, after school sport and even part-time work. Try to keep things as simple as possible.
However, there will be times when it’s not so easy to know your teens everyday routine and how they spend their time. The best thing you can do is to assess the situation and decide the best way forward. You might encourage downtime from video games or smartphone scrolling, perhaps creating a routine that outlines time for study and play. A technology-free zone in your house is also a viable option.
How to improve their exam-taking skills
Firstly, preparation is the key to how your student will feel going into an exam. Revision of the subject matter should start well before the exam day, avoiding cramming as much as possible. Although many students find cramming a quick way to condense information, it can exacerbate anxiety and leads to memory loss which isn’t great come exam time.
Undertaking regular revision beforehand means students not only feel prepared, they feel confident, focused and with much less anxiety. Remember, each student will retain information differently. Some find reading more effective, where others find that repeatedly writing notes helps them to retain information better.
At exam time, students can be as prepared as possible, yet when it comes to the crunch, the pressure of the situation can throw them off course. Here are a few tips for students to survive (and do well in) an exam:
- Eat a healthy meal beforehand
- Read the entire test first before starting it.
- After reading through the test, they should plan their time.
- Circle and skip questions if they need to and come back later
- Reread questions before answering them.
Give them your support every way you can
Suppose a particular subject, like Math, isn’t your strong point. If you’re unsure about the subject yourself, there’s no need to worry. The support you give your high schooler is enough to help them along their way. The simple act of sitting with them and going through the process of working out a math problem or discussing a piece of text is enough. But if you feel it isn’t enough, you might feel better hiring a private tutor. There are tutors all over Australia, including tutors in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. These services go a long way to helping your high schooler find their feet.
Remember too that reaching out to their teachers is also an option. If you feel like it would be helpful for them to have some extra time with a lesson, teachers are often more than happy to lend a hand. They are just an email away. And they are more than happy to offer any extra help they might need.
Remind them and yourself that mistakes are OK.
Remember that for many students, learning particular subjects is hard and takes practice. Mistakes will happen while your high schooler is learning and letting them know that this is OK and a part of the learning process. Removing this fear can help students slow down, focus and reduce stress and anxiety surrounding the common question, “what if I fail?”
If you’re worried about your high schooler, remember that feeling this way is entirely normal; it shows you care. When a high schooler has a support person they can lean on, things are instantly a whole lot easier. But remember, you might be a support person, but both you and your high schooler need to take a break once in a while; schoolwork doesn’t have to take over lives. Focusing on enriching family life is what will make schooling a lot easier.